Jessica Rogalski has spent her life perfecting her vocal craft. She has studied privately with renowned vocal coaches on the east coast and here in Colorado.Through her private studies she learned the fundamental of vocal techniques and applied them to her 20 plus years of live and studio performances,making her a formitable force on the Denver music scene.
As a teacher Jessica instills proper techniques for vocalizing scales,ear training,diaphramic breathing,sounding vowels,placement of notes and pronounciation. Learn how to connect your head and chest voice and discover your middle voice.Learn to correct bad habits and develop a good practice routine. Jessica's lessons are fun,informative and always focus on applying these techniques to your favorite song to get you singing like a pro.
Read about Jessica's musical background at www.mojomama.net and listen to her musical creations.
All ages and levels of students
available Monday thru Saturday
Sarah Smoot - VOCAL INSTRUCTOR
I have been singing and playing music since a very young age and have taken voice lessons and vocal coachings on and off since I was 14. I have a B.A. in music from the Ohio State University and have completed graduate coursework in voice as well. I have performed mostly musical theatre and classical music, but now sing backup vocals and play keyboards in a rock band. I owned and operated my own private teaching business in Ohio and have over 3 years of teaching experience in Ohio and here in beautiful Colorado! I have 10+ years performing experience.
I love all kinds of music and love teaching all different styles! I teach a variety of vocal styles as well as music theory, ear training and beginning piano. I focus on not only the basics of good vocal technique, but also coach students in the performing and expressive aspects of singing. Singing is all about being relaxed so I strive to provide a comfortable atmosphere where you can realize your full potential as a singer and musician! Each lesson is designed around what you want to learn and we work together to accomplish this while of course having fun!! I love working with both children and adults.
I want to help you find your own unique voice!
All ages and skill levels welcome
Available Mondays-Thursdays and Saturdays
Rory Thomas - Banjo Instructor
Rory Thomas Banjo Bio - January 2012
Rory plays the 4-string Plectrum style Banjo. This instrument is strummed with a flat pick, rather than finger-picked, and is more prevalent with Traditional New Orleans Jazz, Honky Tonk, and Ragtime music. It is not often found in Bluegrass music. (Typical Bluegrass Banjos are 5-string and played with finger-picks.)
Since 2005 Rory has been the banjo player for The Queen City Jazz Band – a group that specializes in Traditional Jazz, New Orleans Jazz and vintage Gospel. This Band has been a venerable institution in Denver, Colorado since 1958, and was founded by the late Alan Frederickson. When schedules permit, Rory also is the banjo player for the Poudre River Irregulars out of Fort Collins, CO; another group of long-standing reputation among Traditional Jazz fans.
You can catch a live performance of the Queen City Jazz Band on select Sunday evenings at the Bull ‘N Bush Pub in Glendale, Colorado, and the Poudre River Irregulars can be heard at Avogadro’s Number (a restaurant) in Fort Collins, CO, the first Friday of each month. On occasion Rory can be found at Jazz Festivals across the USA and Canada with the Black Swan Classic Jazz Band out of Portland, Oregon.
Past achievements include a performance history with the New Orleans Jazz Gathering of Denver, the Good Time Jazz Band from Kalispell, Montana, the Rocky Mountain Ragtime Quartet also out of Kalispell, MT, and at the World Expo in Osaka, Japan with Wes Mix’s Dixieland Band out of New Orleans, Louisiana.
Available on TUESDAYS
Andrew Schiller - Guitar Instructor
Andrew Schiller
Andy Schiller received his Master's Degree in Classical Guitar from the University of Denver. He has released 3 CD's of original music and has also performed in Carnegie Hall, the Aspen Music Festival, the Hawaii Music Festival, the Rome Festival Orchestra, as well as the Adrian Symphony Orchestra. Andy teaches all styles and all levels, and takes students as young as 5 years old. Andy enjoys teaching finger-picking, music theory, sight reading, songwriting, and rock improvisation. He has even expanded to provide online instruction at his newly launched website, BeyondGuitar.com! For more information visit andyschiller.com
currently teaching on Fridays
PAUL ROGALSKI - OWNER/BASS INSTRUCTOR
Paul Rogalski from Boston Massachusetts graduated Berklee College of Music in the early 90’s with a Professional Music Diploma. Once arriving in Colorado, Paul joined singer Nina Storey and released a live CD, “Nina Storey Band BOOTLEG”. Paul later formed local band, Coykindred, a funk rock band fronted by local diva Lauren Monroe. Finally in 2002, Paul started writing music with Jessica and there came the birth of Mojomama. Paul has been teaching electric bass for 15 years and offers all of these experiences he has embraced over the years to the next wave of future bassists.His lessons are full of information from different topics to make you the best bass player you want to be.
Read more about Paul in his interveiw with Bass Frontiers
Available all days
All ages and levels of students
JERRY SCROGGINS - GUITAR INSTRUCTOR
Jerry "Bird" Scroggins grew up in Minneapolis. Inspired by its fertile local music scene, as well as seeing Stevie Ray Vaughan with Jeff Beck, he has been playing guitar for seventeen years now and teaching for ten. After doing a U.S. tour, including a headlining gig at L.A.'s Whiskey A-Go Go in '95, Bird decided to "go back to school" at Minnesota State. There he received his B.A. in music, studying classical and jazz on both guitar and saxophone, and also tutored music theory classes. Eventually teaching at a small College nearby and a local music store, he gained more inspiration as many of his students found success forming bands and/or winning contests. Currently, Bird plays lead, rhythm and slide guitar in Jason Downing & Musketeer Gripweed, which is rapidly cultivating a following here in Colorado. His primary influences come from the blues, rock and funk realms, but he's always open to, and seeking inspiration from all genres and styles.
Available All days
all ages and styles
TRAVIS DAUDERT - GUITAR INSTRUCTOR
Born and raised in Greeley, Colorado, Travis began playing music at the age of six…after being offered lessons from a door to door accordion lesson salesman! Early experiences led to interests in music performance, theory, recording, composition, and education.
Travis graduated Summa Cum Laude with his B.M. in Jazz Studies from San Diego State University in 2008 and was voted Outstanding Student by faculty members of the music department. He received his Masters Degree in Jazz Studies, also from SDSU, in 2010. He is grateful to have studied with Richard Thompson, Rick Helzer, Bob Magnusson, Bob Boss, Derek Cannon and Brent Dutton while attending SDSU.
Equally interested in teaching, composition, recording and performance, Travis has written for string quartet and many solo classical instruments in addition to composing jazz, pop and rock tunes. He has a truly wide range of influences ranging from Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy, Stravinsky, Shostakovich and Philip Glass to Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, Medeski, Martin & Wood and Wayne Shorter to the Beatles, Paul Simon, the Grateful Dead, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Sam Cooke, Parliament/Funkadelic and Frank Zappa.
Currently available on
Tuesdays and Wednesdays
for private lessons
MATT FLAHERTY - GUITAR INSTRUCTOR
Music takes you on a voyage, and that's exactly what Connecticut native, and recent Boulder transplant, guitarist/composer Matt Flaherty conveys in his music.
Since graduating from Western Connecticut State University's jazz program, Matt has been teaching and playing full time. Matt plays out regularly with his bands, Hot Soup, and The Matt Flaherty Trio and is gaining a lot of recognition along the way.
He has had the pleasure of playing with Dave Grippo ( Phish, Trey Anastasio Band), Russ Lawton ( Trey Anastasio Band ), Bill Nershi ( String Cheese Incident ), Vinny Idol ( producer of hip hop super group D-Block), Mystic Bowie ( Tuff Gong Internationl Recording Artist ), and many more great musicians. He has also had the opportunity to open for acts such as Tower of Power.
Be sure to check out Matt Flaherty at his next show near you.
teaches on Tuesday afternoons
Ash Ganley - Guitar Instructor
Ash Ganley: Guitar Teacher
Ash began teaching guitar soon after moving to Boulder in the early 90’s, and is a naturally engaging and patient teacher who makes learning anything about the guitar a positive, fun experience- with results.
Ash is fluent in a wide variety of styles honed on many National tours and recordings over the past twenty tears, with bands ranging from Rock to Jazz, Bluegrass to Country and Blues. As a dedicated apprentice to many a musical muse, Ash has recorded on over 15 albums- including five solo releases and several International releases, including a 2001 release by Jazz legend Richie Cole. As a performer and recording artist, Ash has been a regular on KBCO Studio C; has played Red Rocks four times as both a band leader and side man; has played regularly at all the major theaters throughout the Front Range including The Fox, Aggie and Boulder Theaters; has headlined The Soiled Dove and A Taste of Colorado; has had original music licensed for both television and film, including placements on ABC, HBO and Canadian Television #1 hit series “Heartland”; and continues to play regularly throughout the Rocky Mountains. And as a current member of The Bill McKay Band ( former keyboardist/singer for The Derek Trucks Band, currently with Leftover Salmon), Ash continues to play some of the biggest festivals in the region and share the stage with many greats.
All of this experience- combined with a contagious love for all things guitar- is available to Ash’s students at Mojo’s Music Academy. Whether you are just beginning or are a seasoned vet, Ash can help you grow quickly and become the guitar player you’ve always known you were!
Michael DeLalla - Acoustic Guitar/Classical/Celtic/Folk
In a performing and recording career of more than two decades, guitarist and composer Michael DeLalla has brought to the forefront of acoustic music his delicious brew of traditional influences from around the world, steeped with his classical training and seasoned with his jazz, Celtic and folk stylings. Beginning in the '80s as the driving force behind Philo/Fretless recording artists Oxymora, the seminal group that Tom Cole of National Public Radio called "the cutting edge of New Acoustic Music", Michael has forged a distinguished and storied career on stage and studio from his fluency on classical, 12-string, and steel-string acoustic guitar and memorable performances that showcase gifted improvisation and dazzling technical facility that never sacrifices the richness and poignancy of his compositions.
Available for lessons beginning in Mid Summer
get on the waiting list now!
ALLAN EVETT - Piano Instructor
Allan is a pianist/keyboard player, originally from Chicago. He has played for a wide variety of acts, and has covered many different styles of music for the past 25 years.
Allan began playing piano at the age of seven and has never found himself far from a keyboard since then. In fact, over the years, various keyboards continue to find him. Back in the 80's he studied music theory, composition and arranging at Columbia College, Chicago - under the guidance of William Russo - and graduated with a B.A. in music. From there he worked his way through the Chicago music scene: playing for several jobbing/big bands, accompanying improv theater, and doing a fair share of studio work.
Allan moved to Colorado May of 2008 and is now a part of the Mojo's Community.
He has been teaching since 1984 and covers all styles of music from Classical to blues to electronic synthesizer music.
Currently accepting students of all ages and abilities
current schedule
Thursdays 6:30 - 8pm
Wednesdays 4:00pm 8pm
I am 16 years old, and the newest addition to the Mojo’s family. I was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, but have been living in Colorado for most of my life.
I began studying classical violin at age 3, and studying classical and contemporary piano at age 4.
At age 6, I began to sing at local gigs with my father, a professional jazz pianist.
I participated in the St Vrain Arts Academy for several years, before becoming a camp councilor there.
I also was employed by Tunes for Tots in Boulder, a music camp and lessons venue, directed towards kids aged 8 and younger. I’ve attended Rocky Ridge Music Camp in Allenspark, on a partial scholarship and Gateway Playhouse, a selective musical theater workshop in New York.
I’ve attended International Association of Jazz Educators and National Association of Teacher Singing conferences all over the country. I’ve attended weekly theory lessons for 2 consecutive years.
I’ve received awards for my piano performance in the Royal American Conservatory Exams and been a member of the Longmont Youth Symphony. I participate also in my school’s orchestra where I have been concert mistress in previous years.
I’ve participated in Unity Choir the past two seasons.
I love singing back ups for Mojomama! I began at Mojo’s in the summer of 09’ for secretarial work, but quickly found good uses for my experience!
I am currently offering beginning violin and piano lessons, as well as theory tutoring, and hope to offer workshops in future, including holistic practice methods, and opportunities for classically trained young musicians to begin to express themselves through different genres of music.
available on
monday
wednesday
MIRCO ALTENBACH - Saxophone
Mirco has been a staple in the Boulder music scene for the past four years.
Education:
Los Angeles Center For Enriched Studies
1998-2004
Humboldt State University
Major in Music performance and composition
2004-2007
Studied privately with top name in Los Angeles, and Arcata California.
Vincent Suzuki, Bruce Babad, Mark Monarch
Arriving in Boulder after a few years of national touring with The Dukes of Ted, he has spent his time building a reputation as an in demand session performer.
Currently he is a member local acts Hot Soup, Dechen Hawk and a Murder of Prose. With a busy performance schedule, Mirco has found time to pursue his passion in teaching, holding a private studio for the past six years.
In the past he has had the Honor of performing with Bill Nershi (string
cheese incident) The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Liza Oxnard(String cheese,
MoFro), Blue Turtle Seduction, P Nut Daniels(midi horn player, widespread panic govt mule..ect.) Guitar master Rubin Diaz, and many more.
Mirco brings his experiences as a working musician to Mojo's.His students will have opportunities to perform and discover the
ideas of a session player.
currently available on
Mondays from 3pm - 8pm
LES MILLER - TRUMPET INSTRUCTOR
Introduction / Teaching Background
My name is Les Miller, I'm a trumpet player and teacher living in Longmont, Colorado. I have a Bachelor of Music degree in trumpet performance from the University of Iowa, and over 25 years experience teaching & playing in a wide variety of bands / genres. In addition to teaching private lessons, I have experience running trumpet sectionals in a jazz big band, orchestral, or chamber music setting. I am also a multi-instrumentalist and composer. I've had great success helping musicians learn the trumpet as a second instrument, as well as teaching students who are picking up the horn as their first instrument.
Teaching Philosophy
I will gladly accept students of any age and/or level of ability. (The age range of my students is currently 10-70+) The only requirement is a desire to improve your horn playing, and hopefully to expand your musical horizons. Curriculum is chosen based on each student's musical goals. I attempt to combine the repetitious work necessary to build chops and technique with fun, musically entertaining exercises which keep the student interested and eager to play more!
•Basic Technique (warm ups, flexibility exercises, endurance & range exercises, articulation technique)
•Audition / chair placement preparation (my students MAKE the bands they audition for!)
•Music Theory
•How to practice EFFICIENTLY and make the most of your practice time
•Improvisation in : Jazz, Blues, Funk, Reggae, Rock, you name it... settings
•Solo Cornet / Trumpet
•Orchestral performance
•Big Band performance
•Small Group performance
•Basic cleaning & maintenance of brass instruments
Miguel Halverson-Ramos - Violin Instruction
Mojo's BIO info:
Miguel Halverson-Ramos began playing the viola in 1979,
gave his first professional performance for a wedding in 1986, and
received a Bachelor’s degree of viola performance from UIUC in 1992.
He has taught music for individual students and schools since 1992. Currently,
he teaches individual viola and violin lessons, and is an active substitute teacher
for the Saint Vrain Valley School District.
As a performer, Miguel has worked as a soloist, with string quartets, chamber
groups, orchestras, and a nationally touring mambo band - Cabaret Diosa.
MIKE FOGERTY - DRUMKIT / HAND DRUMS INSTRUCTOR
Mike is a Colorado native and has been on the music scene for 22 years. He has been the timekeeper for various Front Range bands such as The Brokers, Twitch, Dave Davis and Blues Child. Playing different styles of music ranging from Blues to Metal to Funk. He started playing with Mojomama as a hand percussionist to fill up the rhythm section.He then settled into the drum kit position for Mojomama. Listen for yourself on one of their original cds.Being able to bring his years of experience to the teaching room is what makes his lessons so valuable.Mike is a very giving person and professional musician, wanting to pass on the his knowledge in the world of drumming.
Available on Tuesday WednesdayThursday and Saturday
All ages and levels of students
Fogerty Drums.
STEVE SAVIANO - DRUMS
Steve comes from Los Angeles and brings a tight groove and modern chops to Mojomama.
He has a family background in music and continues to contribute and explore music expression through his drumming.
We're excited to have him as part of Mojo's.
Here is a brief history of Steve's Musical past
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES:
.August 2003-December 2006
Performed professionally in Las Vegas,
Full time drum set instructor
· Extensive recording and performance experience including:
Steve Madaio ( Stevie Wonder )
Lenny Castro ( Toto ), Mel Brown ( Marc Anthony,Gladys Knight )
· September 2001-March 2002:
Orchestra drummer for Carnival Cruise Lines.
· January 2001-July 2001:
Drummer for Pymander Records recording artists Quicksilver. Playing all styles including jazz, rock,funk, blues, r&b,etc.
· February 2000-September 2001:
Drummer for progressive rock outfit Dionysius.
Arrangement driven, complex time signatures and changes.
· December 1997 - February 2000:
Drummer for Los Angeles based jam band Rolling Thunder. Electric and acoustic performances. Played over 150 shows.
EDUCATION :
· 1994 to 1999: Studied with drum legend Vinnie Colaiuta.
· 1998 to 1999: Studied with Glen Sobel.
· 1995 to 1998: Studied with Joel Taylor.
· 1996 to 1997: Los Angeles Valley College and C.S.U.N. jazz band and big band programs.
· 1996: Recipient of the Louis Armstrong JazzAward, Agoura High School.
GOALS:
· To be a well rounded and successful musician.To always be learning and growing.
Steve is currently available on
weds
friday
Saturday
PAUL CHRISTOPHERSEN - DRUM SET/SNARE DRUM
Paul Christophersen – Drums
Paul attended Northeast Missouri State University as music major in percussion, eventually transferring to Iowa State University where he earned a degree in Journalism. At ISU he was a music critic for the Iowa State Daily and was awarded an editorial internship with Los Angeles-based drumming magazine RHYTHM, later working as one of its contributing writers. He was also a member of the alternative rock band the Masque, which was featured on the prestigious Iowa Compilation III (1989) album. After relocating to Colorado Paul began performing and recording with numerous acts including Armchair Martian, The Howlers, Built For Comfort, Sol~Fed~Joe, Kenny Perkins, and the Informants, with whom he recorded two critically acclaimed records, Stiletto Angel (2007) and Crime Scene Queen (2009). He is currently the drummer and manager for up-and-coming Americana singer-songwriter Nick O’Connor.
Paul’s teaching philosophy involves developing student skills by building a strong musical foundation based on rudiments, reading music, solid time, technique, mechanics, independence, coordination, linear concepts, polyrhythms, dynamics, listening, phrasing, and improvisation. Students are encouraged to develop creativity and have an open mind to all styles of music. Discussions about drum history, equipment, tuning, and maintenance are encouraged. As needed, Paul will mentor students in the areas of performing, recording, music business, school and other music programs, and upper education opportunities.
Available Monday and Wednesday 4:00PM to 7:00PM
For more information visit: paulchristophersen.com and dryriveram.com